Intermittent mechanism



Aug. 5, 1952 J. A. DuvolslN INTERMITTENT MECHANISM Filed March 4, 195o Y average occurrence thereof Patented Aug. 5, 1952 UNITED -STATES PATENT OFFICE Jean A. Duvoisin,

to General Precision This'invention pertains to a motion picture projector intermittent mechanism particularly adapted for use where motion picture images are converted to television images. f

The televising of a motion picture lm presents two principal problems: the first being the reconciliation of the television field frequency of 60 per second with the standard motion picture speed of 24 frames per second, and the second being the illumination of the television pick-up or transmitting tube at only such times and for such durations as required by its inherent mode of operation.

This second problem arises as the result of the internal characteristics of those types of television pick-up tubes which are in most general use. When such a tube is used the scene to be televised is focused upon a screen or mosaic within the tube, and a cathode ray beam scans the mosaic, converting the electric charges stored on'successive elements of the mosaic representing light intensities to electrical voltages in an output circuit. At the'end of each vertical scan the vcathode ray beam is caused to return to its starting point to start the next vertical scan, and this operation of return takes a certain minimum time, called the fly-back time.

When a live scene is televised, it is continuously focused upon the mosaic, but when images derived from a motion picture lm are impressed on the mosaic the light must be interrupted at intervals -to permit the lm to be advanced or pulled down. To obviatespotty eiects as a result of the required intermittent illumination it is usual when using such pick-up tubes to illuminate the mosaic only during the ily-back time and to completely cut off the light transmitted from the motion picture film during all of the periods that the cathode ray beam is scanningh the mosaic. This time pattern of light transmission and cut-oli demands a shutter that opens only during the fly-back time and remains closed during the electronic scanning time. These y-back times are short, however, and occur regularly sixty times a second, so that if the standard motion picture 90 pull-down intermittent mechanism were to be used, every fth exposure by the shutter would occur during a film pull-down period. One of the ways suggested for solving this problem is to pull the film down at alternately long and short intervals, the being at the standard motion picture frequency of 24 pull-downs per second.

The purpose of the instant invention is to pro- Briarclff Manor, N. Y., assignor Laboratory Incorporated, a corporation of New York Application March 4, 1950, Serial No. 147,747

. 4 Claims. (Cl. 74-436) vide a simple mechanism which advances the motion picture film intermittently at intervals which are alternatively long and short, these long and short intervals having values suitable for use in motion picture television and the average length thereof being equal to the desired motion picture frame period.

It is an additional purpose of the invention to provide an intermittent mechanism suitable for the production of television images from motion picture lm wherein the pull-down time is not decreased over that which has becomemore or less standard, namely, a pull-down. Thus excessive Vstrains on the nlm strip itself may be avoided.

Briefly, the intermittent mechanism of the instant invention consists of a pin cam driving a four-slot star wheel, the combination being similar to a standard Geneva movement except that the pin cam is provided with two pins. This star wheel is in turn made to drive a second similar two-pin cam meshing with a second similar fourslot wheel and the desired intermittent motion is derived from an output shaft connected to the second star Wheel. Thus in essence the mechanism may be said to be two'modied Geneva movements connected inv tandem, cooperating to produce a new result useful in televising motion pictures.

A more complete understanding of this invention may be secured from the detailed description and the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the intermittent mechanism of the invention.

Figure 2 is a graph illustrating the operation of the invention.

Referring now to Figure 1, a shaft I0 is driven by the usual drive mechanism of a motion picture projector (not shown) and is rotated at the constant speed of 1440 revolutions per minute which is standard for motion picture projector drive shafts, thus imparting that speed to a pin cam II connected to the shaft I0. The pin cam II is in the general form of aA disc fastened to the end of the shaft I0 with their axes aligned. The pin cam II is provided with a base I2 from which project two pins I3 and I4 in a direction parallel to the axis of the cam II. The pins I3 and I4 are positioned at equal radial distance R from the axis of the pin cam and are spaced circumferentially by 90. The base I2 also bears a locking disc I6 having a radius approximately equal to' the radial distance R.A This disc I 6 is concentric with theV base I2 and has a circular outline except for two relieved portions or re cesses 20 and 25 at the location of the pins I3 and I to obviate interference between the disc I6 and the cooperating star wheel.

The pin cam II is designed and positioned to drive a Geneva. gear or star wheel I'l having four radial slots I8, I9, 2| and 22. The pin cam II is rotated clockwise as indicated by thearrow I5, and in the position depicted the pin I3 is leaving the star wheel slot I8 and the pin I4 is about to enter the slot 22. During the ensuing rotation of 90 the pin cam I2 drives the star wheel .I'I by engagement of the pin I3 with the slot 22 so that the star wheel I'I also is rotated by the same amount of 90. tion of the pin cam through 90 arcs in which either pin I3 or pin I4 engages a star wheel slot,

a 90 arc, but at all other times the convex locking disc I6 engages one of the four concave locking recesses .23, 2e, 26 and 2'! of the star .wheel il, positively holding the star wheel vI 'I stationary while the pin cam continues to rotate. K

The star wheel IY is rigidly attached by a countershaft 28 toa second pin cam 2.9 similar to the first pin cam II andlike it provided with a locking disc 33 and two pins, Sr and 32, angularly spaced 90 relative to each-other. i The second prinv cam 29 is so attached lto the star wheel I'I that their orientation or relative phaseis as shown in Figure 1, that is, the angular posi-tions of the two pins coincide withithe angular positions of two adjacent slots of the star wheel I'I.

The pin cam 29 drives a second four-slot star Wheel 34 similar in all respects to the star wheel I1 and. having four slots, 39, 3I, 38 and 39 positioned-for engagement vby the pins 31 and 32 of the pin. cam 29. ',Ihisfstar wheel has connected thereto an output shaft 4I that communicates the intermittent movement of the star wheel 3d to a motion picture Vi'llm vsprocket cir-umv (not shown). y 4 A v As indicatedin the drawings the pin Ycar'n II and star wheel -lI combination is so phased; as respects the pincam 29 and sta-r wheel 3:7, cornbination, that at the time the vsecond pin IF. of

the pin cam II just -disengages a slot in its associated star wheel, the -pin cam 29 is so oriented that the 90 sector between the pins 3i andi-i2 either'faces directly toward the output shaft I or directly away therefrom..

Obviously the manner-of operation of the intermittent mechanism will not be affected in any way if the interrelationships ofthe parts as depicted in Figure 1 be changed by rotating the cam I2 and star wheel I7 .as a unit for any fraction of a revolution about the countershaft 2,8 Vin relation to the cam 29 and star wheel 34 as a unit. The relative phase of the output and -input shaftsfwill .not be disturbed by this rotation if the positionsof rest of the pins 3l and 32 are maintained at their positions of joint nearest approach to and furthest recession from the output shaft. f Y

The full sequence of motion of both pairs of pin cam and star wheel for two revolutions of the vinput shaft, composing a full cycle of intermittent motion may be best understood by reference to the illustration of Fig. 2, in which each of the nine representations at the top of. the figure, denoted by the reference character A, schematically represents the intermittent mechanism of Fig. 1. These nine representations from left to right illustrate the positions of the mechanism for eight different positions of the input shaft I; each position being disp-laced 90 In general, during rota-v from the preceding position as is denoted on a scale B below the gures. Since the rotation of the input shaft I0, Figure 1, is at an unchanging speed, the length of the degree scale B also is proportional to time duration and is so marked, the interval between the left end of the line and the right end being T11; second. lThis time duration corresponds to '720 of input shaft rotation, the input shaft having a speed of 24 revolutions per second.

In Fig. 2 at A similar reference numerals are used to designate the similar elements as illustrated in Fig. 1 and the rotational positions of the star wheels I1 and 34 are made more clearly apparent by the use of a reference dot located l y in one sector of each. the star wheel is rotated in a like manner through The first three representations, 5I, E2 and 53 at the left of Figure 2 at A indicate two motions of each of the driving pin cam II with no resultant motion kof any other part of the intermittent mechanism, the two pins of the cam not being in contact with the star wheels Il during this input shaft motion and, in fact, throughout this period the star wheel I'I is locked motionless in a positive manner by the locking disc of the driving pin cam II. However, at the instant and position depicted by the representation 53, the driving pin cam locking disc has revolved to the point where it unlocks the star wheel and the pin I3 has revolved to the point where it commences to engage a slot of the star wheel Il. During the next 90 of input motion, therefore, the pin cam II drives thestarwheel Il through engagement of the pin I3, .and the star wheel I'I, countershaft .2B and `pin cam '29 likewise turn through 90. However, at the beginning of this action as depicted in representation 53 the cam pin 32 is in contact with the slot 39 of the star wheel 34, so that the counterclockwise rotation of the pin cam 29 through 90 causes rotation of the star .wheel 34 through an equal angle. The positions at the end of the 90 input shaft movement are indicated in the representation 54, in which the pin I 3 has advanced 90 and is about to leave the star wheel slot. The pin 32 ofthe pin cam 2.9 hasfalso advanced 90 and is about to leave the'star wheel 34, so that the output shaft 4I has advanced 90 between the representations 53 and 54. Further input shaft rotation of 90 results in the positions of representation 55, in which the pin I3 has advanced 90, carrying the star wheel Il and pin cam 29 with it, but although the pin camr 29 advances, it does not advance the .output star wheel 34 because the pins of the pin cam 29 have left contact with the star wheel 34.

Further rotation of the `input shaft and attached pin cam through 180 as indicated in representations 58 and 51 cause no motion of any other kpart of the intermittent mechanism but during the time accruing between representations 5i and 58 the pin I3 of the pin cam II drives the star'wheel II through 90., rotating the countershaft 28 and pin cam 29 a like amount. However, since the pins of the pin cam 29 are not in position to engage the star wheel 34, no motion is imparted to the output shaft.

The 90 rotation of the input shaft occurring between the representations 58 and '58 again rotates the star wheel Il, the countershaft and.

the pin cam 29 by the driving action of the pin I 4. Since in representation 58 the pin 3I is at the position of initial contact with the star wheel 1 34, the latter is driven through 90, resulting in 90 rotation of the ou put shaft 4i.

, 360, and of 540 and 720.

. unequal, being 180 These successive movements of the input shaft lead to two movements of 180 each of the countershaft 28 as indicated on the scale C, occurring between the input rotational positions of 180 and During the first part of the rst countershaft movement, or between 180 and 270, an output shaft displacement of 90 is produced, and during the latter part of the second countershaft movement. or between 630 and 720, another output shaft displacement of 90 is produced, both illustrated in scale D. Since the last representation 59 shows all parts of the intermittent mechanism in the same positions as in the first representation I, the cycle depicted in Fig. 2 at A'is complete and is repeated by any rfurther rotations of the input shaft. The two angular displacements of the output shaft occurring in the cycle of operation are each of 90, but the angular distances separating them arel and 360 or on a time designation, the output shaft restsfor a l@ second and a second period of el; second in each cycle.

This one complete cycle of `operation includes two equal periods of output shaft rotation or film pull-down separated by unequal periods of time and because of this fact the mechanism may be readily adapted as a lm actuating movement when television images are to be produced from the photographic record of the film strip.

As heretofore stated the light is impressed on the television transmitting tube during the retrace or fly-back time and these intervals occur once every 1,60 of a second and occupy about 8% of the time allowed for one television scan. On the time scale` depicted at E of Fig 2 the fly-back time, during which the television transmitting tubeis illuminated by light projected through the film strip and during which time the film must be stationary, is illustrated by the rectangle 61. The time during which the film is in motion is illustrated by the rectangle 68 occurring between representations 53 and 54 and again by the rectangle 69 occurring between representations 58 and 59, both periods of motion lasting for the standard 90 pull-down or l@ second. It will be observed, then that in each l complete cycle there are first two periods when the television transmitting tube is illuminated by the image of one frame of the motion picture nlm followed by three periods in which the television transmitting tube is illuminated by the image of the next succeeding motion picture frame. Thus for television purposes the motion picture frames are scanned alternately two and three times while at the same time the film strip is advanced by a simple relatively inexpensive mechanism at speeds of pull-down which may be tolerated without developing undue stresses or requiring undue refinements of mechanism.

What is claimed is:

1. An intermittent mechanism comprising, a continuously rotating drive'shaft, a countershaft, means interposed between saidA drive shaft and said countershaft for rotating said countershaft one-half revolution during one-half of a revolution of said drive shaft and maintaining said countershaft stationary during the remaining half revolution of said drive shaft, a driven shaft,

first period of means interposed between said countershaft and said driven shaft for rotating said driven shaft one-quarter of a revolution during each half revolution of said countershaft and for maintaining said driven shaft stationary during the remainder of the time.

2. An intermittent mechanism comprising, a continuously rotating drive shaft, a countershaft, Geneva movement means interconnecting said drive shaft and said countershaft for causing said countershaft to rotate a half revolution during alternate half revolutions of said drive shaft and maintaining said countershaft stationary during the remainder of the 'revolution of said drive shaft, a driven shaft, second Geneva movement means interconnecting said countershaft and said driven shaft imparting rotation to said driven shaft during the initial portions of alternate half revolutions of said countershaft and the final portions of the remaining half revolutions of said countershaft and maintaining said driven shaft stationary during the remainder of the time.

3. An intermittent mechanism comprising, a continuously rotating drive shaft, a countershaft, Geneva movement means interconnecting said drive shaft and said countershaft for causing said countershaft to rotate a half revolution during alternate half revolutions of said drive shaft and maintaining said countershaft stationary during the remainder of the revolution of said drive shaft, a driven shaft, second Geneva movement means interconnecting said countershaft and said driven shaftvfor causing said driven shaft to rotate a quarter revolution during the initial half of alternate half revolutions of said countershaft and to rotate a quarterV revolution during the final half of the remaining half revolutions of said countershaft.

4. An intermittent mechanism comprising, a continuously rotating drive shaft, a countershaft, means interconnecting said drive shaft and said countershaft for imparting a half revolution to said countershaft on alternate half revolutions of said drive shaft and for maintaining said countershaft stationary during the remaining half revolutions of said drive shaft, a driven shaft, means interconnecting said countershaft and said driven shaft for imparting a quarter revolution to said driven shaft during one-quarter revolution of alternate half revolutions of said countershaft and for imparting a further quarter revolution to said driven shaft duringthe other quarter revolution of the remaining half revolutions of said countershaft and for maintaining said driven shaft stationary at all other times.

JEAN A. DUVOISIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,166,453 Gaumont Jan. 4, 1916 1,167,854 Stineman et al Jan. 11, 1916 1,174,249 Gall Mar. 7, 1916 1,383,006 Minue June 26, 1921 1,825,442 Chambon Sept. 29, 1931 

